The Newton Parent Advisory Council for Special Education (NewtonPAC) is sponsoring a presentation by attorney, teacher and former head of the Board of Special Education Appeals (BSEA) Dan Ahearn. The topic will be Basic Rights in Special Education, and the meeting will be held on December 10th at 7:30 pm in room 201 of the Education Center at 100 Walnut Street in Newton.
Networking and cookie-eating will begin at 7:15.
The United Parish of Auburndale (44 Hancock Street at the corner of Grove and Woodland) is hosting a caroling sing-along for the whole community. It will be on Sunday, December 14th from 3:30-5:00. Please join in for holiday spirit and Christmas cheer as we sing everyone’s favorite carols. This event is open to everyone who wants to sing! UPA is an open and affirming, reconciling ministries congregation that welcomes all people. www.upanewtonma.org.
The Safe Routes to School Task Force encourages you and your children to walk or bike to school this fall and winter. Walking to school reduces traffic congestion around schools, boosts a sense of community, and gives your child good pedestrian and biking skills they will use throughout life.
“Newton MA 311” is the City of Newton’s app for your mobile phone and allows you to report concerns immediately, pinpoint the exact location, and include a photo. You can report anonymously or with contact information so you can track the progress of the report. In addition to sidewalk repairs, sign and traffic signal problems, and brush covering the sidewalk, there are 14 categories for reporting snow concerns, including sidewalks that are not cleared and corners that are blocked. You can also report concerns on their website or call the city at 617-796-1000. We encourage you to report a problem even if someone else already has, as the volume of reports draws the city’s attention to the problem.
Please contact pe********@******ma.gov with any questions. Additionally, please shovel your sidewalk and encourage your neighbors to shovel theirs so children can walk safely to school through the winter.
Enjoy music, art, and dance at a free Community Arts Festival at Temple Shalom of Newton. Sponsored by the Open Your Eyes Fund for the Arts at Temple Shalom, the Festival celebrates the beauty and power of light at the darkest time of the year. Bring the family and enjoy: family art activities; dance workshops for children; live stained-glass demonstrations; an art exhibit; professional dance and music performances; StarLab, the Museum of Science’s portable planetarium … and more!
Admission to the Festival is free, but certain space-limited events require preregistration and a small fee. Visit Temple Shalom’s website https://www.templeshalom.org/our-community/openyoureyes/upcoming-events-for-the-open-your-eyes-fund-for-the-arts/ for more information, and click here https://www.formstack.com/forms/?1878232-3FgTJp1wre for registration information.
December 14th, 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm
Do you ever feel frustrated with your child? Find yourself shouting often and imposing punishments or rewards in reaction to challenging behavior? Do you wish you had a more effective parenting approach that also helps to build a better relationship between you and your child? Then this training is for you.
Think:Kids Collaborative Problem Solving parenting model is a revolutionary, evidence-based approach created by MGH’s Dept. of Psychiatry that provides parents with concrete tools to better understand and help children (ages 3-18) with challenging behavior. It’s based on the understanding that many kids lack the skill, not the will, to behave well – specifically skills related to problem solving, flexibility and frustration tolerance. For more information and to register for an upcoming training, please visit: http://www.betheparentyouwanttobe.weebly.com
Build Fundamentals, Encourage Positive Study Habits, Provide Academic Perspective
We have almost reached the midpoint of this school year. Have you addressed your child’s academic needs or concerns? Contact Next Level Up Tutoring for a free in-home consultation. Call 781-540-1123 or email in**@*****************ng.com. Visit the website to learn about their approach and philosophy.
Next Level Up – Helping all students reach their PEAK potential.
Their many years of experience in teaching and educational consulting have developed the right way to motivate, the right way to teach, be understood, and be remembered. They tutor special ed. such as ADD, ADHD, Asperger’s, Autism, Executive Function, and gifted as well as regular ed. and test preparation. In addition to academic subjects, they teach children organizational skills, homework coaching, study skills, and time management. All subjects and ages are taught. Parents can now receive 25% off the first lesson. Call 781-492-8700 or log on to http://www.Y3KTutorInYourHome.com.
Please bring ANY pair of shoes that would hold a foot on dirt roads in a tropical climate to donate to this effort. Shoes will be provided to kids in Haiti whose feet need protection from parasites and help them feel like they BELONG with their classmates at school. Many poor parents do not send their kids to school, embarrassed that they lack shoes. Every. Little. Bit. Counts. Thanks!
There is a box in the lobby of Brown Middle School for shoes. You can also drop shoes on the porch of 135 Lincoln St. in Newton Highlands. Please bring donations! If you have any questions, please call or email Skye Tausig at 617-243-0363 or ht*****@*ol.com.
Come to a Parent/Guardian workshop on getting up to speed on the growth mindset.
Have you heard that Newton Public Schools is asking teachers and staff to explore how
encouraging a “growth mindset” can motivate students to learn? Do you know that the research-based growth mindset is useful for all ages and in all settings—school, home, work, athletics?
Newton North School Council and PTSO invite ALL parents/guardians to a fun and engaging evening exploring the growth mindset. As Principal Jen Price shows you how Newton Public Schools faculty are being trained in the use of the growth mindset, you’ll learn:
Effective ways to give praise
Useful methods for encouraging children and teens to try new things and accept
challenges
Constructive ways to respond to failure
Successful strategies for creating a parent-teacher dialogue about students’ development
You will also have a chance to apply the growth mindset during an interactive challenge.
To learn more about the growth mindset, read **********************@***************************************th.aspx” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>The Significance of Grit . or view this Ted Talk by Angela Duckworth.
December 3rd, 7:00-8:30 pm
Newton North High School cafeteria
Teen Crafternoons, December 2nd, 3:30 pm, second floor Teen Area: Get creative making wrapping paper, gift tags, carving stamps, and eating snacks.
Get Hooked: Knitting and Crochet Club, December 4th, 7:00 pm, second floor Teen Area: Join the ongoing Knitting and Crochet Club. They have crochet hooks, knitting needles, yarn and the know-how to teach the basics of crocheting. Or, bring your own project. Refreshments will be served. Open to ages 10 and up.
Girls Who Code Club, December 5th, 12th and 19th, 4:00 pm, second floor Computer Center: Want to learn how to build an app, design a video game and change the world through code? Join the Girls Who Code (GWC) Club! GWC is a national non-profit organization leading the movement to inspire, educate and equip girls with the computing skills they need to pursue 21st century opportunities. Join them every Friday throughout the school year to learn about artificial intelligence, graphics, game design, cryptography, mobile development and so much more! Open to grades 6-12. For more information: www.newtongwc.com
Create Your Own Light-Up Card, December 16th, 3:30 pm, second floor Teen Area: Learn some elementary electronics, and how to create fun and flexible circuits on paper. You can make holiday cards or pictures that light up.